Kakashi waited by the gates impatiently as Shikamaru and Temari walked through the gates alone. He jumped off the look out post in front of Shikamaru and Temari, stopping them. "Where is she?" Kakashi grabbed Shikamaru's jacket pulling him closer.
"How troublesome," Shikamaru rolled his eyes upwards looking at the clouds. Kakashi tightened his grip on Shikamaru and he looked back down. "Alright, she's back at the village with the others including Sasuke. Can you let go of me now?"
"Sorry, Shikamaru I just was worried." Kakashi dropped Shikamaru throwing one hand behind his head, laughing.
"You could have fooled me," Shikamaru frowned at Kakashi before he went back towards Temari.
"Wait, Shikamaru. How did it go? Where there any complications?" Kakashi's voice deepened.
"Not really, just that Itachi showed up about half way through. But that seemed to help things than stir up trouble."
"How?" Kakashi cocked his head to the side.
"Well he fought Ayame and she managed to slice his cheek, then he backed off. That seemed to provoke Sasuke into taking Ayame up on her proposition. Smart girl…but very troublesome." Shikamaru sauntered down the streets with Temari by his side.
Meanwhile Ayame and the others where closing in on her village. She couldn't wait to see Matoka again even though she would have to resume her duties but she missed the old lady's company. Matoka was the only person close enough to a grandmother-figure that she ever had, even a mother figure. Sasuke didn't stray far from her side as they traveled. Naruto and Sakura fell away from the front knowing that tensions would be high if they were near Sasuke. They might say some things, which would provoke Sasuke to rethink his decision. As much as Sakura wanted to talk to him she refrained because she trusts that Ayame will make everything better. She has to this is their only hope in regaining those broken friendships–for now.
As they came within twenty yards of the village Ayame could hear the scouts following besides them. The leader, Daiki, appeared next to Ayame which startled the others but Ayame remained calm.
"Who are these people?" He glared at the others.
"Konoha is giving you a break, these people will help guard the village. We will discuss this later. Give me the status on the village?" Ayame's head didn't face him.
Daiki knowing she wasn't willing to socialize didn't question her. "We updated our security, since the last break in. There was an incident with Jiraiya, but we assured the council that you would take care of it when you returned; that straightened him up."
"Thanks for the update Daiki, now go tell the council that I'm returning." Ayame ordered him and his men. They quickly left leaving Ayame's group alone in the woods once again.
Sasuke moved closer to her, "What is this place that you're taking us to?"
"It's a place that protects all of Konoha's secrets." Ayame replied.
"What secrets?" Sasuke slyly asked.
"If I told you I'd have to kill you," Ayame winked at him before moving faster forcing everyone to speed up.
When they entered the village, the council was their waiting for her return. Matoka greeted Ayame with a huge. The rest hung back unsure of what to make of this place. It was small; definitely a village but it had the same amenities that were in Konoha and other cities. However it had an old country feel to it, people were more polite and relaxed around here.
"Matoka, I'd like to introduce my little brother Naruto. Naruto this is Matoka the highest elder and also my best friend." Ayame pulled Naruto away from his friends forcing him into the circle that grew around Ayame. Naruto wasn't normally shy, but he felt so awkward around these people. There was something about them that didn't seem normal. It scared him and he didn't scare easily, well he didn't show it often. So he threw his head back and laughed after he bowed to Matoka. One by one Ayame introduced them to Matoka and she nodded towards each of them in agreement.
"Welcome to our village," Matoka formally said. "The guards informed me of the reason that your are here. Tomorrow each of you will follow one guard and learn from them. However it seems that Konoha can't count, they sent an extra Ayame?"
"Oh Sasuke is my apprentice, he's an old friend." Ayame explained and Matoka skeptically examined Sasuke but nodded in approvement after a while.
"Wow she's a hard as-" Naruto threw his things down running towards the couch in Ayame's home.
"Naruto!" Sakura punched him on the head.
"No, Naruto is right she is an ass." Sai agreed. Sometimes he said what he thought but only around Naruto and sometimes Sakura. Although this wasn't one of those times because Sakura punched him on the head too.
"It's alright Sakura, she can be one sometimes. She just doesn't trust people easily. She is after all like the Kage she protects this village and everyone in it is her family." Ayame laughed at the outburst. Sasuke just sighed as he slowly walked in. Neji however decided to stay outside on the porch observing. "Jiraiya!" Ayame yelled and he came out of the basement.
"Nice to see you Ayame," Jiraiya stuttered. "Naruto, nice to see you." He tried to change topic. Naruto was going to answer but Ayame pointed at Naruto to remain quiet as she stared at Jiraiya.
"Let's go outside and talk," Ayame ushered Jiraiya outside and Neji came in closing the door behind them. Naruto, Sakura, and Sai leaned against the door trying to hear what was going on outside. Sasuke just sat across the room away from everyone. Neji just watched the three pressing themselves against the door. Then a loud yell exploded from outside as the doorknob turned. Naruto, Sakura, and Sai rushed towards the living room. Ayame stepped in with Jiraiya behind her holding his head. He quickly went into the basement collected his belongings and left without a single word.
"What did you do to him?" Naruto asked.
"Oh nothing really, just gave him a piece of my mind." Ayame smiled slyly at them.
"Remind me never to get on her bad side," Sai whispered to Sakura and she nodded in agreement.
"Well it's getting late, I guess you guys can crash on the couches for tonight. I won't be able to have all of you living in my house, unfortunately. However Sasuke you will be staying in the basement. Well I'm tired, so good night everyone." Ayame walked up the stairs, into her room.